January 27, 2015

Update on Yoan Moncada's Free Agency

Photo: mlb.com

Yesterday, I wrote at length about the possibility of Cuban switch hitter Yoan Moncada signing with the Phillies and accelerating their rebuilding process. One of the hurdles that stood was, despite his being grated MLB free agency, teams needed to wait until Moncada was cleared by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control. However, a recent report from Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reveals that this may no longer be the case, and Mocada may have taken a giant leap toward Major League Baseball.

Moncada presented a curious case when he defected from Cuba on good terms. As has been seen in the past with Cuban baseball stars, particularly Yasiel Puig, leaving the country has been difficult and extremely dangerous. With Moncada, though, both sides came to a mutual agreement, and the 19-year-old was able to move to a previously undisclosed location.

When Moncada's destination, Guatemala, was ultimately revealed, representatives deemed it necessary to relocate the player once more, fearing he may get recognized in a dangerous portion of the country. Now residing in Miami, Yoan was in a safe position, and now awaits the final verdict. Passan's report indicated that, with President Barack Obama's recent changes to agreements with Cuba, Moncada will now be able to pass by the wait time for the US Office of Foreign Assets Control by proving residency in a third country, which in this case is Guatemala. Now, the biggest question that remains is in regards to just when Moncada will sign.

As was mentioned in yesterday's piece, July 2nd, 2015, is the most important date in this development. That is because, before said date, two of the biggest suitors for Moncada's services, the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs, are being penalized by MLB's bonus pool rules. They are limited in terms of how much money they can give to the potential superstar, who is slated to be set to shatter records in that regard. However, if Moncada decides to wait until after July 2nd (which some reports indicate he is willing to do), other favorites, like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, will take on the same penalties the Rangers and Cubs currently face, all but removing them from contention.

To echo myself, let us hope Ruben Amaro Jr. and the rest of the Phillies organization is preparing to make a major run at this Cuban stud. With 2017 in mind as the year of the big return, Yoan Moncada could be the biggest piece in the puzzle. And, with his true free agency possibly coming sooner than expected, the front office needs to get their wallets, and minds, wide open.